April Together Retro: 1980s Genesis

[BoneSnapDeez]

I spent some time with Space Harrier II and Ghouls n‘ Ghosts last night.

These games are hard.

Just today I was thinking about how the "Nintendo Hard" trend jumped from the NES to the Genesis. SNES games always seem easier in comparison. Of course, the prevalence of arcade ports among these early Gen games is obviously a factor.

I played some Alex Kidd earlier. Made it about...... I dunno, halfway through the game, which is further than I've ever made it. This one is right on par with the likes of Kid Chameleon, quality-wise.

[nightrnr]

Hey, someone has to like it

What's your thoughts on Kid Chameleon?

Played it like twice on the Genesis Collection and got stuck early on at the same damn place.
Actually, I might give that another try, but may have to resort to a walkthrough if I can't figure it out.
Seemed decent enough though, better than Alex Kidd at least.

[marurun]

Kid Chameleon’s core mechanic is fine and gameplay feels good, but the cryptic and confusing level design is what harms the game most. The power ups and abilities are pretty cool and there are some great puzzles, but there’s also a lot of frustration and too many levels. I feel like the game would have been dramatically better had it been a tighter, shorter experience.

[PartridgeSenpai]

I'm glad that, in these trying times, we on Racketboy can still come together and agree on important issues, like how Kid Chameleon is a bad game.

[nightrnr]

One other thing I wanted to point out:

3 of the games are available on the "6-Pack" genesis cart (and very common and cheap). It was the 1st game that I owned for my Genesis system in the late 90's. It's a must have game (if lacking the originals). I got so much gameplay from that one cartridge. Bought it mostly for Golden Axe, which I hold in high esteem, but gave each game a lot of time.

Of the other 2 from the decade:
Revenge of Shinobi I pretty much always use the infinite shurikens option (I need that spread shot double jump attack always available). It's too bad they skipped this game on the other Sega collections (except DC).
One day I'll try the normal shurikens again...

Super Hang on I really only play on Arcade mode, as someone else mentioned. Too frustrating otherwise (but I did try the other mode for a while).

Good games though. The 80's ended well if you ask me. Exciting times they were.

[BoneSnapDeez]

So last night I did something I rarely do these days. I stayed up very late gaming............. and beat Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle.

Very disappointing game. The hit detection ruins it completely, as does the baffling inclusion of rock-paper-scissors battles. A shame, as the stage backgrounds are pretty charming.

I'm going balls out now; I'm gonna play Sword of Vermilion.

[Note]

So last night I did something I rarely do these days. I stayed up very late gaming............. and beat Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle.

Very disappointing game. The hit detection ruins it completely, as does the baffling inclusion of rock-paper-scissors battles. A shame, as the stage backgrounds are pretty charming.

I'm going balls out now; I'm gonna play Sword of Vermilion.

I tried out Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle on the Genesis mini a few months ago, but couldn't get into it. Salute to you for getting through it. The mechanics felt off, it just didn't click for me.

Lol, good luck with Sword of Vermilion!

[BoneSnapDeez]

Sword of Vermilion is kinda cool. Though an ARPG (loosely speaking), it has that same kinda "slow" melancholic gloomy atmosphere seen in Phantasy Star III and The 7th Saga (two other RPGs I enjoy). The grinding is a bit out of control though.

[nightrnr]

I don't remember grinding a ton, but then I don't mind it if I like the atmosphere and am enjoying myself.

I was actually overleveled by the end of the game, but I won't tell you why until you are done with it.

Gives me hope for Phantasy Star III if it has a similar vibe. I haven't ever even started a game yet. Thinking of playing it on either GBA (after I finish the 1st one) or PSP.

Phantasy Star II, I've played through twice, I think, and PSIV was my 1st, so I'm all over the place on that series.

[PartridgeSenpai]

Booted up the PS3 Genesis collection today and discovered, much to my chagrin, that Revenge of Shinobi isn't on it! (it actually isn't on the PS2 collection either, not that I even own it anymore). So my plan to play that game went down the tubes ^^;

I messed around with some other games on the collection though. The only one that would apply for this that I played was Super Thunder Blade which I played for all of about 3 minutes before I was too bored and frustrated to bother carrying on

I think I'll give Golden Axe another whack over the next few days, even though that's never been a particular favorite of mine either. I doubt I'll finish it, either way, but at least I can say I tried to participate this month if nothing else ^^;